Moonlight in Odessa is the first novel by Janet Skeslien Charles, and a sensational one at that! It’s truly addicting, once you start it, you’ll probably breeze through it.
The main character in this book is Daria—the oldest 23-year-old you’ll ever meet. Growing up in modern, post-perestroika Ukraine, Daria is committed to learning fluent English and IT skills so she can gain a professional advantage over her Ukrainian peers. But despite Daria’s hard work and superior office skills, she barely makes enough money to support herself and her grandmother.
Intent on keeping her well-paying job at an Israeli shipping company, Daria tries to politely and discreetly refuse the barrage of sexual advances being made by her boss, Mr. Harmon. She also tries to stave off her attraction to the powerful and sexy mafia leader Vladimir “Vlad” Stanislavski, but fails miserably.
Thinking that rejecting Mr. Harmon’s sexual advances will soon leave her without a job, Daria begins moonlighting at a matchmaking mail-order bride company called Soviet Unions—a company that pairs American men with Ukraine women. While translating English for her clients, Daria meets a kind man named Tristan who promises to fulfill her dreams of going to America, but only if she marries him and leaves her life in Ukraine behind for good.
At first glance, Moonlight in Odessa sounds like a light, romantic, happy-ending romp to while away a summer weekend. Even the book’s cover deceptively promises rainbows and happily-ever-after. But guess again: this novel is NOT happy! Well, okay, so it IS, but not in the way you might expect.
I was specifically interested in how Daria presents her life in Ukraine and the culture there. Before I read Moonlight in Odessa, I knew next to nothing about contemporary Ukraine culture and the effects perestroika had on the economy. The information Daria divulges about Ukraine is shocking, yet fascinating. Devastating, yet awe-inspiring.
For the first few chapters of Moonlight in Odessa, I didn’t care about Daria and her love-life. I was more interested in learning about Odessa culture and about Daria’s lifestyle in Ukraine.
The novel picks up in pace a lot after Daria moves to America. Her relationship with Tristan is gut-wrenching and painful to read about, and it’s easy to sympathize with Daria’s character given her true and honest intentions regarding love and marriage.
Even as I write this review, I’m still pondering about whether or not I’m satisfied with Daria’s outcome and her “happy ending.” Daria is so genuine, smart, honest, and good that I wanted her to have the moon. I guess the ending of Moonlight in Odessa goes to show that life is never perfect, even in fiction.
There were some amusing parts in Moonlight in Odessa where Daria mocked some facets of American culture, and made some funny references to American diets and obesity. I was cracking up. I know other countries don’t understand our obesity epidemic and the way Americans eat.
Moonlight in Odessa isn’t exactly a light, romantic read. It’s so worth your time! Some good insights in here.
I revised this book review to add that I recently read The Paris Library (2021) by Janet Skeslien Charles. She’s such a fantastic author!
Other books by Janet Skeslien Charles include:
- The Librarians of Rue de Picardie (2024)
- Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade (2024)
- The Parisian Chapter (2026)
Have you ever read a novel about a foreign culture that completely fascinated you? Also, did you like this book and what did you think about it?
Last Updated on November 20, 2025 by Sarah Ann
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